We bobbed up to the surface and the first thing I did was look toward the bed. I was terrified that they might notice us appearing, but no. They were still in bed. This time, they both lay still. Apparently they had tired each other out and were resting in each other’s arms.

I raised myself out of the water, indicating to Kiev that he stay put. I replaced the invisibility spell over myself and neared the bed. Lilith was facing the opposite wall, while Magnus had an arm around her waist. They were still close, but at least it seemed to be a neutral position for Kiev to be in. That would make this an easier job for him.

But I was still worried by their closeness. He was holding her quite tightly. There would be no avoiding her noticing him withdraw from her on the bed. We just had to make sure that Kiev placed his arm around her quickly so she didn’t notice it too much.

Holding my breath, I walked back over to the pool, now indicating that Kiev follow me. He climbed out of the pool silently. I dried off his—Magnus’—body first, then helped him remove his clothes without making a sound, keeping my eyes firmly on his face as I did. Then we moved to the bed, standing on the side closest to Magnus. My pulse racing, I just wanted to get this over with. I first wrapped a hand around Magnus’ mouth, then silenced him with a spell. Before he could writhe around, I paralyzed his body, made him invisible and levitated him off the bed.

I was relieved when Kiev took the cue, quickly and gently placing himself on the bed where Magnus had lain while I moved with the real Magnus back toward the pool of water. Lilith turned slightly at the commotion. When she eyed Kiev, I stopped in my tracks, unable to even breathe. Then she turned back round, reaching for Kiev’s hand and holding it closer against her.

Thank God.

Slowly and carefully, I sank with Magnus back into the pool and made him follow me through the chute, through the portal leading back up to the grave. As we traveled, the whole time I was thinking of my husband and praying that he would not be caught. Of course, Lilith had the power to reveal his true form if she suspected something, but hopefully she would have no reason to. I just had to be as quick as I could with Magnus.

As soon as my head emerged through the base of the coffin, I lifted myself up, making Magnus levitate above me. Now that we were out in the open, I removed the invisibility spell. Everyone stared at Magnus. His limbs were constrained, though his face was filled with alarm and anger.

“Kiev is still down there,” I said. “Make sure you stay here.”

With that, I vanished Magnus and myself from the spot. I had already thought about the best spot to talk with him—somewhere that was far from the grave, yet at the same time would give us ample privacy.

We re-emerged on the rooftop of the Adriuses’ palace. I planted Magnus down a few feet away from me, then, keeping his legs paralyzed, I gave him back control of the rest of his body. Sitting against the wall, he glared daggers at me. I walked to the edge of the roof and looked over it. Noticing an open balcony beneath, a curtain blowing in the wind, I tore the fabric from its railing with my magic and handed it to Magnus so that he could use it to preserve at least some modesty.

“Who are you?” he snarled, tying the cloth around his waist. His blue eyes flashed at me as he bared his fangs.

I breathed out slowly, trying to collect my thoughts.

Now the real work begins.

Chapter 24: Mona

“I am someone whom you need to listen very carefully to.” I approached him cautiously, squatting down so that my face was level with his.

“What do you want?”

I paused, wondering how to even start getting through to this vampire. I didn’t know just how much he loved her, but in bed earlier, he’d seemed to be completely absorbed in her. Whether that was lust or love remained to be seen.

I could try to force or torture him into submission, but the change in attitude toward Lilith had to come from his heart, if he was to break hers. She would detect any insincerity on his part.

“First, I need to explain to you what and who Lilith really is.”

“I know more about Lilith than you could ever know,” he shot back.

“I don’t doubt that you knew Lilith, but do you really know her now? You seem to be unaware, vampire, that you’ve been asleep for centuries.”

He looked shocked. “Centuries?”

“Yes. Lilith kept you imprisoned beneath her grave. Rhys Volkin—one of Lilith’s accomplices—was the one who first caught you and put you to sleep. You really don’t remember being caught?”

He frowned, then shook his head. “Why should I trust a word that comes out of your mouth? You still haven’t even told me who you are.”

“My name is Mona Novalic. I used to be a black witch, a part of Rhys’ clan. I was even inducted as a Channeler by Lilith. But I left their cause because I’ve had a glimpse of the destruction that they will cause not only to the human realm, but all realms if they take over The Sanctuary and rise to prominence.”

“Mona Novalic,” he repeated slowly, then muttered, “This isn’t a dream.” He rubbed his head and blinked hard.

“This is certainly no dream,” I replied.

“Lilith and I parted ways long, long ago, on the understanding that we would never see each other again. She was the one who requested that we stop seeing each other. What reason would her accomplice have to seek me out and put me to sleep?”

“Good question,” I said, relieved that we were starting to have open dialogue. “Magnus, first you need to understand that Lilith used you. The love that you once shared, she took advantage of and used in a spell to keep herself alive and extend her lifespan far past its natural course. Had it not been for you, she would have been dead long ago. Rhys kidnapped you because you are most valuable to them. He didn’t want anything to happen to you, otherwise Lilith risked losing her own life. The only reason you are in contact again now with her is because she needed you. Had she not found use for you, I doubt she ever would’ve bothered speaking to you again.”